The Minister for Information and National Orientation, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, has dispelled the notion that the recent relief measures announced by the President were knee-jerk measures of a panicky government. Rather, he explained that the decisions were taken after a careful study of the situation, adding, "this is a government that is concerned about the plight of the people and takes decisions to address those concerns." As a listening government, he said, the government has taken cognisance of the escalating food and crude oil prices and their impacts on the lives of the ordinary people to come out with the relief package. In an interview with the Ghanaian Times after his ministry's turn at the Meet the Press series, Mr Asamoah- Boateng, said the government would continue to monitor developments on the international scene and will respond appropriately as and when necessary. Contrary to the fear that the cancellation of import duties on some food items will adversely affect local farmers, he said government has put in place measures to help the local producers build their capacity. According to him, with the current level of production local farmers cannot meet the demand for such items and therefore there will still be the need to import to meet the shortfall. Mr Asamoah-Boateng said government has earmarked GH¢11 million to provide subsidy on fertilisers to all farmers; and those cultivating the "New Rice for Africa" variety are given seeds free of charge which cost 50Gp per kilogram me. Again, he said the government has brought in 400 new tractors at the cost GH¢ 24,000 each with government absorbing GH¢8,ooo as subsidy. The remaining GH¢ 16,000 is to be paid in three years without interest. "In addition to the 400 tractors already here, government has procured additional 830 tractors of which 500 are on the high seas," he said. He said the country can also take advantage of the current rising food prices on the world market to produce more for export "as the world demand for natural food increases and as consumers shift from genetically manufactured foods." The Minister expressed gratitude to the transport operators and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council for reducing transport fares to reflect the reduction in the price of petroleum products. Source: The Ghanaian Times